For a lass on the autistic spectrum, I’m not one for embracing the vague. For me the plan is everything. And yet… And yet the dancefloor and its many adventures change everything I tell myself I need to get by. There is something about a skinful of love and possibilities of a night out out that banishes my timetabled addictions. Something about the nightclub with … Continue reading 50 Tunes For 50 Years : Weak Become Heroes
Hard to believe I know but I was once a moody bugger (yeah right says every soul that’s ever seen me sat at the back). A moody bugger dressed head to twisted teenage toes in black. Mohair jumper, monkey boots and PVC trousers competed only with my jumble sale striped pyjama top in the challenging but graveyard friendly style wars that were my gothic years. … Continue reading 50 Tunes For 50 Years : The Birthday Party
From that first strung out moment you know something special is about to happen, even before your out that door. If Rochelle will let you go that is. Let No Man Put Asunder was the moment back in 1987 when I knew I had truly lost my heart to disco. When the eighteen-year-old goth gave into the glitter, left her suitcase at the door and … Continue reading 50 Tunes For 50 Years: First Choice Ft. Rochelle Fleming
As I head towards the end of my fiftieth year it’s time to dig deep into my divine disco addiction and declare my love for Gladys. Gladys and her Pips, Gladys and her Bourgie (Bourgie). A tune that will always reach out and raise me up from the darkest of depths or the toughest of meltdowns, Bourgie’ Bourgie’ helps me live the life. And it’s a tune … Continue reading 50 Tunes for 50 Years: Gladys Knight and The Pips’ Bourgie’, Bourgie’
I didn’t leave with everything I owned in a little black case, it was a mate’s orange Ford Fiesta, but the feeling that echoed in my soul every time Bronski Beat’s Smalltown Boy played was the same. I needed to get away. I needed to find another place to go so I could claim who I really was. For I was a queer in Essex … Continue reading 50 Tunes For 50 Years : Bronski Beat’s Smalltown Boy
It’s been a while since I indulged in this 50 Tunes For 50 Years malarky. I’ve been too busy enjoying my 50th year, to be honest. (Who knew seven months ago it would work out this good?) But with Brighton Pride on its way and it being 50 years since the Stonewall riots that enabled me to live the life I live so gloriously, it … Continue reading 50 Tunes For 50 Years : Cerrone’s Look For Love
One day a few years back out of trainspotting curiosity I decided to sort my iTunes in order of plays. Who would have the most? Who would be the tunes I played over and over, much to my neighbour’s sheer, erm, joy? The underground house DJ in me was hoping for some Chicago goodness, the glitter queen after some disco, whilst my natural resting face … Continue reading 50 Tunes For 50 Years: Fleetwood Mac
Every week when I was a kid we’d head up the path beside our house to my Granny’s bungalow to pay the rent on 60 Pole Barn Lane. And every week after she filled in the rent book she’d hand over two Fox’s Glacier Fruit and our 10p pocket money. The candy was a thrill but the pocket money was the escape pod. Ten whole … Continue reading 50 Tunes For 50 Years: Solange
I once had a friend who was saving herself for David. In all seriousness. Sylvian was all she wanted and wished for and although by the time Japan graced my sound system, I knew I my love life would be fulfilled at slightly different tomorrow parties I was happy to second that emotion. For more than a moment back then in the 80s David Sylvian, Steve Jansen, … Continue reading 50 Tunes For 50 Years: Japan
I’ve not always been the healthiest of souls, a mind not as strong as my occasionally butch bod would like it to be. (The lack of #50tunesfor50years this past ten days is a testament to that). I always know I’m in trouble when the music goes off, when the moments without a soundtrack become days and when the days without a wiggle become weeks without … Continue reading 50 Tunes For 50 Years: Midland
Wildblood and Queenie 